In recent years there have been several cases of poisoning due to mandrake, often mistaken for common broad-leaved vegetables such as spinach. Episodes of this type have pushed health authorities to draw attention to the entire distribution chain and, above all, to the importance of prevention.
These situations remind us how fundamental it is knowing how to recognize edible plants from poisonous plants: the mandrake, in fact, is one highly toxic plant and not suitable for human consumption. Likewise, there are many other dangerous species that can deceive even the most attentive eye. The advice is simple: never collect wild plants if you are not an expert, because the mistake can have serious consequences.
Let’s see together the 5 poisonous plants to pay attention to.
Clochio or false saffron
Maybe you didn’t know but there is a plant very similar to saffron which however is highly toxic, we are talking about clochio (Colchicum Autumnale) a poisonous plant which, if taken, causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and, in cases of very strong intoxication, even death.
Precisely because it is very similar to saffron, it is of fundamental importance to know how to distinguish some characteristics to avoid unpleasant accidents. Among these:
False jasmine
There is also a plant very similar to jasmine, although with some different characteristics, we are talking about false jasmine (also called rhyncosperm) which is also highly toxic, containing a milky and white substance irritating both the eyes and the skin, which if ingested can cause various side effects, including paralysis and death.
Hemlock
Another plant to pay close attention to is the greater hemlock (Conium maculatum), a highly poisonous plant, known to have caused the poisoning death of Socrates and repeatedly cited in history books as poison.
Its enormous toxicity is due to the presence within it of at least five poisonous substances, called alkaloids. The green fruits of the hemlock contain the highest concentration of poison, which is however present throughout the entire plant, including in leaves, stems, flowers and roots. Additionally, hemlock can cause severe dermatitis and burns if handled.
Among other things, hemlock flowers can be easily confused with the harmless Queen Anne’s Lace or Queen Anne’s Lace. These are plants that have long and thin stems, with small white flowers which, in the case of hemlock, should absolutely not be collected. However, there are small tricks to differentiate the two plants, such as paying attention to the different flowering periods, the different stems, foliage and height of the plant but also noticing a different scent.
Mantegazza hogweed
Mantegazza hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum L.) is a herbaceous plant to which you need to be very careful because, if it is touched, it can cause serious lesions on the skin. The danger for humans is due to its sap, which contains phototoxic molecules called furanocoumarins, which in contact with human skin cause even serious burns and scars that can persist for several years, while contact with the eyes can even lead to blindness.
Given the risks that hogweed represents for biodiversity, for the environment and for our health, the plant is the subject of monitoring and eradication operations and it is forbidden to market, plant or spread the seeds of this species.
Sarsaparilla
Finally, the sarsaparilla (Smilax waits) is a thorny climbing plant, very widespread in the Mediterranean areas and easily recognizable by its leathery leaves, stems with spines and bright red berries that ripen in autumn. It is a species that climbs bushes and low trees, often present in woods, along paths and on the edges of uncultivated land.
Many confuse it with edible wild plants or with wild asparagus, since in spring the sarsaparilla produces tender, green shoots that are very reminiscent of those of asparagus. Experts sometimes collect and consume them, but this is a risky behavior: all parts of the plant contain potentially toxic substances, especially the berries, which can cause even serious gastrointestinal disorders if ingested.
The advice, therefore, is clear: avoid collecting or consuming plants that you do not know with absolute certainty, because the similarity to edible species can easily be misleading. When it comes to wild vegetables, it’s better to give up a taste than risk poisoning.
(Read also: Recognizing wild autumn berries 1: the toxic or poisonous ones).
